Common Cold
Common Cold and How To Treat It
The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans. Although colds are usually mild and run their course in a week or two, the symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and disruptive. The common cold is caused by a virus, so antibiotics won’t help.
These are some of the most common symptoms of the common cold:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Fever (in some cases)
While there is no cure for the common cold, there are some things you can do to ease the symptoms and help your body fight it off:
- Get plenty of rest. Your body needs time to heal, so take it easy when you have a cold.
- Drink plenty of fluids. This helps to flush out the virus and thin your mucus so it’s easier to clear your airways.
- Eat healthy foods. Foods that are high in nutrients can help boost your immune system and fight the virus.
- Use a humidifier. The moisture in the air helps to clear your nasal passages and reduce irritation.
- Take over-the-counter medications. These can help to reduce symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and body aches.
It is always best to speak with your doctor if you are having severe symptoms or if you don’t seem to be getting any better after several days. They can provide you with more advice and prescribe medications, if needed.